November 13, 2025

By Lane Kimble

A permanent Design-Build program in Wisconsin is within reach after a pair of votes this week.

Both the state Senate and Assembly transportation committees unanimously approved a bill that would dedicate $300 million for Design-Build projects every state budget moving forward.

The program would bring to fruition years of hard work between WTBA, ACEC and WisDOT, while helping save taxpayer dollars and shorten some project timelines.

The bill (SB 461 / AB 509) replaces the existing Design-Build pilot program–which is limitedto six total projects–with permanent authority for WisDOT to use alternative delivery methods. It also includes annual cost index adjustments, simplifies rules for project selection and awards, and strengthens overall project oversight.

Elise Nelson, WTBA Director of Government Affairs, testified in support of the bill during committee hearings late last month.

“In general, this is how government should work: applying lessons learned from an incremental pilot to expand a program according to a robust collaboration between, in this case, the department and stakeholders,” Nelson said in her testimony.

The full Senate and Assembly could vote on the bill as soon as next week.  The Senate is in session Nov. 18 and the Assembly follows Nov. 19.

Legislative approval would still require Gov. Tony Evers’ signature.